Candle lamp

ABSTRACT

A lamp is disclosed herein having a base formed with a circular edge lip for encircling and supporting a cylindrical, open-ended shade co-axially disposed with respect to a candle carried on a vertically movable carrier plate. The carrier plate is resiliently mounted on the base and cooperates with a pair of rigid hook members for retaining a glass enclosed candle onto the carrier plate. The base is supported on a decorative pedestal.

United States Patent 1 91' Whalen Feb. 18, 1975 1 1 CANDLE LAMP 2,717,306 9/1955 Meara 240/13 [76] Inventor: Charles C. Whalen 941 S. Osage Ave" #301 lnglevjood, Calm Primary ExammerJoseph F. Peters Jr. 90301 22 Filed: July 16, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A lamp is disclosed herein having a base formed with [2]] Appl' 3797l7 a circular edge lip for encircling and supporting a cylindrical, open-ended shade co-axially disposed with [52] US. Cl 240/13, 240/98, 240/128 respect to a Candle Carried a vertically movable 1511 Int. Cl. F2l'v 35/00 carrier Plate. The carrier plate is resiliently mounted [581 Field of Search 240/10 B; 13, 97,98, 12:; Oh the base and cooperates with a p of rigid hook members for retaining a glass enclosed candle onto {56] References Cit d the carrier plate. The base is supported on a decora- UNITED STATES PATENTS Y P d 7 42,658 5/1864 Hinds 240/13 x 1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures 1,741,337 12/1929 Purcell 240/13 CANDLE LAMP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention This invention relates to decorative candle lamps and more particularly to a novel candle lamp having a releasable mechanism for carrying and retaining a glass enclosed candle.

2. Description of the Prior Art Many varieties of table candle lamps have been used in the past for providing decorative and illuminary affects for persons sitting about a table such as in a restaurant, cocktail lounge or the like. It has been the usual practice to place a candle on a base mounted on apedestal in such a manner that the candle is fixly secured to the base. A cylindrical shield or shade in then placed on the base about the candle. Problems and-difficulties have been encountered when using these conventional table candle lamps which stem largely from the fact that there is very little draft or ventilation for maintaining propercandle burning and replacement of shortened or burned out candles is extremely difficult. Furthermore, it oftentime happens that melted wax from the candle spreads across the base and passes beneath the lip of the shade on the base and deposits itself onto the base, pedestal .or table beneath. Obviously, these are undesirable characteristics of conventional candle lamps. I

Therefore, a long standing need has existed to provide a candle lamp for tables which includes a releasable mechanism for retaining a candle in its position on a lamp base, which provides proper ventilation and draft for ambient air circulation and that properly sits a shade on the base so as to prevent melted'wax from leaking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above difficulties and problems are obviated by the present invention which provides a novel table candle lamp having a base for supporting a cylindrical shade about its peripheral edge and wherein the peripheral edge includes a formed lip conforming to the cylindrical shade. The base further includes a'plurality of spaced apart resilient clips normally biased against the shade for yieldably retaining the shade in its position on the base. Mounting means are provided for a candle enclosed in a glass container that is resiliently mounted on the base in co-axially relationship with the cylindrical shade whereby the glassed candle may be moved in a vertical direction. This resilient mounting means coopcrates with a pair of rigid hook members fixly secured to the base and separated by the candle mounting table having releasable means for retaining a candle within a surrounding circular shade.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel candle lamp having means for releasably retaining a candle in co-axial relationship with respect to its surrounding cylindrical shade and that includes resilient means for normally biasing the candle in its retained position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel candle lamp having a base for supporting a cylindrical shade including an uprightcontinuous wall or lip about its peripheral edge serving as a light block so that undesired rays of light from the candle are prevented from passing thereunder or therebetween.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel table candle lamp having improved ventilating and draft means for encouraging air passage passed the candle for improved burning and lighting characteristics.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel table lamp having resilient means carried on a base yieldably urging against the exterior periphery of a cylindrical shade for releasably retaining the shade on a base in co-axial relationship with respect to the candle.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with furtherobjects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TI-IE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novel candle lamp intended for placement on a table and which incorporates the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse cross-section view of the candle lamp shown in FIG. 1; and

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, the candle lamp incorporated in the present invention is illustrated in the general direction of arrow 10 and is shown as having a pedestal base 11 for supporting the lamp on a suitable surface such as a table or lounge bench. Pedestal ll supports a circular base 12 having an annular, continuous wall or lip 13 carried on the edge periphery of the base 12. The base 12 further supports a plurality of clip members such as clip member 14 that extends upwardly about the peripheryof base 12 for yieldably supporting a cylindrical shade 15 that is provided with open ends. The shade 15 is shown in solid lines in its normal position supported on the base 12 within the lip 13 and retained by clip members 14. However, the shade may be readily moved by sliding the shade 15 upwardly against the normal bias of clip members 14 as shown in broken lines. The removal of shade 15 provides access for the interior of the lamp, if necessary.

Situated in a co-axial relationship with the shade 15, there is provided a candle carried in a glass container 16 that'is supported on a carrier member 17 within the confines of a continuous lip 18. The carrier plate 17 is supported on a sleeve 19 that is resiliently carried on the base 12. I

- As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the sleeve 19 is 'slidably carried within the bore of a tube 20 that houses an expandable resilient means such as a helical spring 21. One end of spring 21 bears against an inwardly extending flange 22 while the opposite end of the spring bear against the bottom or lower edge of sleeve 19. Thus, the sleeve and carrier 17 are normally biased upwardly as shown in solid lines. However, the carrier plate 17 including the glass container 16 may be lowered to the position shown in broken lines against the bias of spring 21.

The resilient biasing means operates in conjunction with hook members 23 and 24 fixly carried to the base 12 by any suitable means such as rivots, bolts or the like as indicated in general by numeral 25. The hook members 23 and 24 are separated by the candle and its container and are formed with inwardly facing hooks 26 and 27 adapted for engagement with the circular edge 28 of the glass container 16. Therefore, it can be seen that the upward urging of the tube 19 and plate 17 including the glass 16 is arrested by engagement of the hooks 26 and 27 with the edge of the glass 28. Also, by moving the glass, plate 17 and sleeve 19 downwardly against the tension of spring 21 as shown in broken lines, the glass 16 may be separated from the hook members 23 and 24 and the glass may be readily removed from the carrier plate '17.

Furthermore, it can also be seen that the glass container 16 is filled with a quantity of candle wax indicated in general by the numeral 30. The wax surrounds and supports a conventional burning wick 31. It is, of course, required that the glass 16 be open at its top as define by edge 28 so that the candle contained therein may be supplied with suitable oxygen for burning. Burning of the wick in the wax is greatly enhanced by provision of suitable air flow and circulation within the shade about the candle as provided for by a plurality of openings indicated by numeral 32. These holes or openings are provided in the base 12 and provide for proper draft into the interior of the shade.

It should be understood that the candle is formed by pouring the candle wax 30 into the interior of the glass container 16 in such a fashion that the'wick 31 is supported. Also, it is to be noted that the bottom of glass container 16 is shaped with a reduced portion indicated by numeral 35 so as to be received within the confines of the continuous sidewall 18 formed about the edge of carrier plate 17. Furthermore, the pedestal stand 11 is hollow so as.to accommodate the downward extension of tube below the base plate12. The pedestal or stand 11 is preferably decorated by sculptured contour or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it can be seen that at least 1 wax in liquid form from dripping from the plate 12 and.

that no wax will inadvertently run down the pedestal or stand 11. If desired, the apertures or holes may be provided'with a ring or collar so as to prevent any liquid wax from passing therethrough. Also, the holes or apertures 32 keep the shade 15 completely cool to the touch and help to keep the candle glass cooler so that a much brighter light effect is created. By employing a fluted or convoluted glass container 16, the light from the candle gives the appearance of flickering and a de sired rotational effect of the light on the shade is achieved. Preferably, the shade 15 is composed of a suitable plastic or plastic-like material and may be colored or include suitable design or other decorative ar rangements. Preferably, the plastic material comprising the shade 15 may include flame retardant materials so that it will not burn, smolder or smoke. If desired, the shade 15 may be provided with an external decorative screen as indicated by numeral 36 in FIG. 2. The screen 36 would enhance the decoration and light shimmering effect of the overall candle lamp.

Once the candle container 16 has been installed on its carrier plate 17, and the hooks 26 and 27 engaged over lip or edge 28, the candle and, therefore, the lamp is ready for use. When it is desired to change the candle such as when the wax has been used, the glass container 16 is manually forceddown against the expanding tension of spring 21 to the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 2. The downward positioning of the glass container disengages hooks 26 and 27 so that the glass can now be removed from its position on the carrier plate 17. Once removed, a fresh glass container carrying the candle wax may be placed on the carrier plate 17 and the mounting means depressed against the tension spring 21. This action works in conjunction with the reduced portion 35 of the glass so that it is self-centering on the carrier plate 17. Once the glass container has been so centered, the upward movement of the carrier plate 17 by expansionof spring 21 is permitted so that the edge 28 of the recently inserted or installed glass container is engaged beneath rigid and fixedly secured hooks 26 and 27. Although changing of the'glass container 16 may be achieved with the shade 15 in position on base 12, it is easier and more convenient to remove the shade 15 as shown in broken lines in FIG. 1 and then cause the replacement of the glass container 16 with the subsequent re-installation of shade 15.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious 'to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in-its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is: 1. In a table lamp having a' glass container holding candle wax and a wick, the combination comprising:

a hollow stand;

a base having a peripheral upstanding edge and fixed to said stand; a cylindrical shade carried on said base adjacent to and confined by said peripheral upstanding edge base;

. 5 v 6 said movable means includes a carrier plate and a V encircle the bottom of said shade; and

downwardly extending Sleeve engageable with one said hook members include a pair of rods separated end of said resilient means; said base includes a tube downwardly extending therefrom into said hollow stand'slidably receiving said sleeve and for housing said resilient means; said base is circular and includes a continuous side- Said glass containmwall formed on the peripheral edge thereof so as to by said glass container and having one end'fixed to said base and its opposite end formed with an integral hook releasably engagable with the edge of 

1. In a table lamp having a glass container holding candle wax and a wick, the combination comprising: a hollow stand; a base having a peripheral upstanding edge and fixed to said stand; a cylindrical shade carried on said base adjacent to and confined by said peripheral upstanding edge thereof; means movably carried on said base for supporting said glass container; resilient means axially biasing said movable means away from said base; hook means secured to said base and engagable with said glass container to arrest movement of said movable means; said cylindrical shade being of flexible material co-axially disposed about said glass container and supported on said base; resilient clips carried on said base yieldably engagable with said shade for retaining said shade on said base; said movable means includes a carrier plate and a downwardly extending sleeve engageable with one end of said resilient means; said base includes a tube downwardly extending therefrom into said hollow stand slidably receiving said sleeve and for housing said resilient means; said base is circular and includes a continuous sidewall formed on the peripheral edge thereof so as to encircle the bottom of said shade; and said hook members include a pair of rods separated by said glass container and having one end fixed to said base and its opposite end formed with an integral hook releasably engagable with the edge of said glass container. 